By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — The Northside Tip-off Classic kicked off the girls’ basketball season once again, and on the first day of action featured two defensive battles with Washington and Southside earning victories.
Led by Haley Stowe’s 25 points and Harmony Simpkins’ 16, the Pam Pack was able to hold off the Hurricanes to take a 62-54 win.
First year coach and Washington Walk of Famer Allison Jones said she was thrilled to get a win in her debut.
Both the Hurricanes and the Pam Pack struggled in the first half, with each team committing several turnovers.
Washington’s backcourt duo of Simpkins and Stowe was able to keep the Pack on track as they each tallied six first quarter points.
Pamlico fought back behind the play of former Southside start Quiesha Miller, who finished with game-high 22 points, and point guard Shenda Bell who did a good job of setting up the offense.
Miller’s five second quarter points helped put the Hurricanes up 25-25 at the half.
After a sloppy first half, the Pack was able to tighten up in the third and fourth quarters. Washington’s offense clicked in the third as it put 20 points to head into the final quarter up 44-39.
Early foul trouble limited Washington center Samantha Smith in the first half, but she picked up her play to score eight second half points.
Smith, along with Davey Ann Burbage did a nice job on the boards for the Pam Pack throughout the game.
The Pam Pack stayed hot in the fourth, and took a commanding 56-47 lead when Simpkins stole an inbound pass and dropped three pointer from the top of the key with 2:30 left in the game.
The Pam Pack will play Southside in the championship game of the Classic on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Southside 42, Northside 34
The Seahawks were able to smother the Panthers as their defense led the way in a 42-34 victory in the late game of the Tip-off Classic on Tuesday.
Southside limited the Panthers to under 10 points in the first two quarters to advance to the championship game of the Classic on Thursday where it will play Washington.
Antoinette Bragg led the way for Southside with 14 points, and created a lot of turnovers on the defensive end.
The Panthers were led by Rebecca Bonney, who tallied seven points.
Northside coach Michelle Leathers said her young squad benefited from the experience
Aside from Bragg, the Seahawks got solid defensive contributions from Mandi Harding, Kayla Jones and Tamisha Cradle.
The Panthers went into halftime down 15-14, but were unable to keep up in the second half. Northside will play Pamlico in the first game of the Classic on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Game 1
Pamlico 14 11 14 15 — 54
Washington 17 7 20 18 — 62
Pamlico (54)
Quiesha Miller 22, Kayla Blount 16, Shanda Bell 10, Fuentes 1, Hollowell 5.
Washington (62)
Harmony Simpkins 16, Haley Stowe 25, Samantha Smith 10, Burbage 6, Tauket 1, Bachelor 2, Palmer 2.
Game 2
Southside 7 8 17 10 42
Northside 7 7 10 10 — 34
Southside (42)
Antoinette Bragg 14, Cradle 9, Harding 7, Avery 5, Jones 2, Penn 2, Haywood 2, Bogart1.
Northside (34)
Bonney 7, Dany 4, Pahiciara 6, Brewer 2, Rodriguez 6, Gaynor 5, Alligood 4, Cerny 2.